Course Description
This 4-day Rope Rescue Operations course is for teams that need to run real rope calls—not just talk about knots in a classroom.
You'll spend most of your time outside, building systems, moving litters, and solving problems. The classroom blocks are short and focused: just enough theory to understand what you're about to do, then straight into hands-on work.
By the end of the course, you'll be able to:
- Build and manage twin-tension main/belay systems for raises and lowers
- Rig mechanical advantage (3:1, 5:1, piggybacks) and perform clean changeovers
- Package and move patients in litters over low- and steep-angle terrain
- Work safely at the edge and communicate clearly between teams
This isn't a "check the box" class. You'll get reps—lots of them—until the systems feel natural and your team moves like a crew, not a crowd.
Core Skills & Objectives
Key Topics Covered
Rope Systems & Rigging
- Twin-tension main/belay systems for raises and lowers
- Mechanical advantage: 3:1, 5:1, piggyback systems
- Changeovers: raise-to-lower, lower-to-raise
- Edge management and friction control
Anchors & Safety
- Multi-point anchor systems with load distribution
- Natural, structural, and artificial anchors
- System safety checks and failure planning
- Edge protection and rope management
Patient Care & Litter Operations
- Patient packaging in litters for rope operations
- Litter attendant skills and patient monitoring
- Low-angle and steep-angle litter movement
- Litter rigging and attachment methods
Team Operations & ICS
- Rope rescue team roles and responsibilities
- ICS integration for rope operations
- Communications between edge, systems, and command
- Scene management and risk assessment
Training Methods
- Short, focused classroom blocks on system theory, forces, and safety
- High-repetition skill stations for anchors, MA systems, and litter rigging
- Progressive scenario work from simple lowers to complex multi-pitch operations
- Hot-wash after each evolution to refine technique and decision-making
Prerequisites & PPE
Prerequisites
This course is designed to build from the ground up. No prior rope rescue experience required—we'll teach you everything you need to know.
Required PPE
- • Full rope PPE (harness, helmet, gloves)
- • Appropriate footwear and clothing
- • Personal lanyards and safety equipment
- • Eye protection
Compliance & Documentation
This course is designed to align with operations-level rope rescue competencies in NFPA 1006 and NFPA 2500.
Students who successfully meet performance standards receive a Technical Rope Rescue Operations – 4 Day completion certificate documenting hours, major skill blocks, and scenario participation. Final operational sign-off, task-book completion, and deployment status remain with the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ).